Gearing up for my first NCOWS match

[rdstrain49]

Since I decided to take the plunge into NCOWS, I figured it's about time I start putting my gear together.  I know, the prevailing wisdom is to go to a few matches before making choices, but it's winter and there's not much else to do.

I've decided on a Uberti No 3 Russian in 44 Russian for a side arm (long story for another time).  I'll make my own leather using Great Grandad's holster for a model.  Rifle is a '73 in 45 Colt, wish they made it in 44.  

The Russian out of the box was a problem.  It shot about a foot and a half high left at 25 yards, and the trigger was a mushy 20 - 25 lbs.  The trigger didn't take too long to fix and now breaks clean at 5 1/2 lbs.  I know that's a bit heavy for some but it works for me.  Getting it to shoot to point of aim was a bit more challenging.  I decided to make a new front sight from some brass stock I had on hand.  Cut the blank, roughed in the profile and start dialing it in 3 shots at a time.  I'll try to attach pictures of the last three 3 shot groups, shot at 25 yards, the largest of which measures .987",  and the new front sight.  There is still a way to go but I'm making progress.

I have no idea what I did to the pictures but obviously they are gone. 



The holster should be done shortly and I'll try to get pictures of it posted also.

Enough rambling for now.

[Oregon Bill]

Rd: I think you are off to a great and enviable start. That Russian is just such a pearl.
I'm going to start off with a Yellowboy in .44 WCF, an 1860 Army percussion (I'd run a Richards Type II in .44 Colt/Russian if I could find one) and a hammer double.
Really look forward to seeing your holster.

[Books OToole]

You guys might consider getting a '66 in .44 special and having it tweaked to cycle .44 Russian.  That is what I did and it is great:  It will even hold 16 rounds like the originals.

Books

[Major 2]

I have a more rare 44 Spl.  73 ...they exist

[Mean Bob Mean]

That Russian is a beautiful gun.  As for the 1873, is there a way to modify the carrier of a .44 Special to .44 Russian?

[rdstrain49]

For the time being I'm going to stay with the '73 45Colt.  I know it's not much of a test for a rifle, but I've got it shooting    1 1/2" groups at 50 yds.  Been too cold to do any more.  Holster picture should be up sometime tonight.

Seems I deleted the picture of the Russians groups, I'll see if I can figure it out.

[rdstrain49]

Seems I deleted the three shot groups, but here is a 12 shot group from 25 yds. shot with the Russian.

[rdstrain49]

This is a faithful rendition of Great Grandad's holster.  Same weight leather, dimensions, construction including toe plug and unfinished edges.  My holsters are generally a bit more refined, but this was intended to be a new "original" not new and fancy.

[rdstrain49]

Good grief, now the three shot groups are back.  I hate computers.

[pony express]

Looks like you're ready to go, at least as far as the guns. Pretty good grouping on that Russian. Got a rifle, pistol and a holster, seems like you're all set to shoot Working Cowboy class next month.

[Major 2]

That holster ...     it has class I like it !

[rdstrain49]

Thanks Major, I've got a slim Jim on the bench, making it in the same style.  I see the pictures are gone again, wish I knew what happened.  Probably something I did.

[rdstrain49]

pony, don't know where you are, but here it's so cold I doubt it will warm up by next month.  They say spring is coming, I'll believe it when I see it.

[Oregon Bill]

Rd, you sure did a sweet job on that toe plug. I've got to try that myself.

[rdstrain49]

I hate doing toe plugs, did I mention I hate doing toe plugs?  There a couple of hard learned tricks to doing them.  If you decide to try, PM me and I'll send my phone # and try to talk you through it.  Did I mention I hate doing toe plugs?

[rdstrain49]

I really can make them a bit more refined.

[pony express]

Rdstrain, I'm a few hours south of you in Missouri. Our club usually has it's first shoot in March, 3rd Sunday, but last year the weather didn't cooperate much. Hopefully it'll warm up here by then, also there's the match coming up for the NCOWS Convention. Were you going to shoot that one?

[rdstrain49]

Probably won't shoot the pre convention match, but do intend to watch.  Besides, looks like it will still be sub zero through May or June.

[jimbobborg]

The Russian out of the box was a problem.  It shot about a foot and a half high left at 25 yards, and the trigger was a mushy 20 - 25 lbs.  The trigger didn't take too long to fix and now breaks clean at 5 1/2 lbs.  I know that's a bit heavy for some but it works for me.  Getting it to shoot to point of aim was a bit more challenging.  I decided to make a new front sight from some brass stock I had on hand.  Cut the blank, roughed in the profile and start dialing it in 3 shots at a time.  I'll try to attach pictures of the last three 3 shot groups, shot at 25 yards, the largest of which measures .987",  and the new front sight.  There is still a way to go but I'm making progress.

Before you go messing with the gun, try a lighter weight bullet.  When I shoot 158gr bullets out of my Ruger GP100, it shoots way high at 10 yards, I'm not even going to try at 25.  With 125gr bullets, it's within 6" from 5 - 25 yards. 

[rdstrain49]

Jimbob, thanks, but with the weapon shooting groups that in many cases are less than 1/2" at 25 yards, I'll not likely mess with the load.  Front sights are really not hard to make, just a bit time consuming to get zeroed.